1. An air-dry leave-in cream because you deserve to have those effortless curls or waves you’ve been dreaming of since 2012. No hot tools required — just this beauty essential that’ll help your hair feel more bouncy and moisturized.
Promising review: “I’m so grateful that I found this product. My hair is wavy and frizzy. Every once in a great while my waves resemble curls but the frizz is always there. I’ve only used this product one time so far and I never want to be without it. I put some on after towel drying (no brushing) my hair, and my waves actually resembled curls! It wasn’t instant so I was skeptical but after about 15 minutes I caught a glimpse of my hair in the mirror and I was amazed. It looked styled rather than a ratty mess. I slept on it and it still looked great in the morning!!!” —mich0610
Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (also available in a two-pack).
2. A viral color-correcting treatment that has SPF and so much more. Not only does it neutralize your redness, it also evens out your skin and with this bb you don’t even need foundation.
Promising review: “I’ve been looking for a concealer to enable me to go mostly makeup free. My main issue is redness and irritation. I have a very fair complexion and sensitive skin. This product exceeded my expectations in neutralizing redness on my nose and cheeks. I’m so pleased and can already tell this is going to be my new favorite skincare product. I put it on after moisturizer and under primer, then just follow up with the tiniest amount of under-eye concealer and I’m good to go.” —badleybratt
Get it from Sephora for $25+ (available in two sizes).
3. A famous Laneige lip sleeping mask that’ll leave your lips looking uber luscious. This can help bring your lips back to life, and trust me, it works.
Personally, I am a stan. I’ve been using this lip product for over a year and it’s made such a difference in my lips. I use it every single night and I love it. I bought a holiday set and used every single flavor until it was gone, this product really is that good.
Promising review: “Honestly I saw this lip mask trending and decided to purchase it. At first I was hesitant on purchasing this lip mask because some people say it’s too small (they were wrong). It’s a good amount considering it’s only going on your lips and keeps them moisturized! I was using it every day when I first purchased it as it made my lips soft and moisturized compared to a ChapStick. It’s been a few months and I’m still not finished with this lip mask! I highly recommend it and forever a holy grail. 💕 Also love the scent! It’s not too harsh, just sweet like this purchase.” —Stefani D.
Get it from Amazon for $24+ (available in eight scents).
4. An illuminating moisturizer to make your skin look and feel fresh and glowy. If you’re dreaming of a product that doesn’t sap your skin of all its moisture, this product is about to become your new BFF.
I’ve been using this for years, and it’s one of my favorite hacks for glowy skin. I love using this as a primer for my beauty routine during warmer months ( it looks kind of like the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter on your skin).
Promising review: “I love this product. It makes it look like you have a natural glow without feeling heavy or looking cakey. Great for those with dry skin who can’t wear heavy foundation but want to smooth out their skin.” —Jessica Giles
Get it from Amazon for $12.42+ (available in five shades and multipacks).
5. A TikTok-famous rinse-out hair treatment with ingredients like ceramide 3 and collagen that will help save your over-processed and damaged hair, leaving it looking like you just left the salon.
Promising review: “I am obsessed with this conditioner. It’s light enough to use every other wash and it smells amazing. I have ultra fine, curly blonde hair that’s extremely prone to breakage and I feel like my hair has grown an inch since using this product. Just bought two more bottles because I never want to run out of this magic.” —sgt
Get it from Amazon for $7.40.
6. A magical liquid blush from Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty that’ll give you the most perfect flush of all time. There’s a reason why this blush has gone viral several times and has over 9,000 5-star reviews. Beautifully pigmented and easy to blend out, this is the blush of our dreams.
I use this blush on a daily basis and it’s everything to me. It’s super pigmented and blends out like a dream. Silky, smooth, and lightweight, what more could you want? It also buildable for those who are blush lovers or blush newbies. BTW, it lasted on my cheeks for crazy NYC weather year-round.
Promising review: “This is such a gorgeous blush! It’s really pigmented so a little goes a long way. It gives the most beautiful flush but it’s buildable if you want a more intense pop of color.” —minnimalist
Get it from Sephora for $14+ (available in nine radiant finishes and four matte finish and in two sizes).
7. A cruelty-free lengthening mascara because it’s seriously so iconic and costs under $5. Just a couple of swipes of this baby and people will be asking where you got falsies that look so real. Hate to break it to ya, but this is all natural.
Promising review: “Love it, love it, love it!!! You really look like you have fake eyelashes on. This mascara is amazing! It’s not thick and lumpy, and it glides on smoothly and precisely. You feel like you had a makeup artist do your eyes!!! It lasts all day — no touchup required, no smearing, no clumping. I use soap and warm water to remove. I am 500% completely happy and satisfied!” —Very Dissatisfied !!
Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in black or brown).
And check out our full Essence Lash Princess Mascara review for more details.
8. A highly rated cream-to-powder eyeshadow that’ll give you an entire look in one-step. It’s also worth noting that this is waterproof and has vitamins C & E to help treat your skin. So you’re getting double duty product and we love that for you.
Promising review: “This eyeshadow is awesome! It’s what I’ve been looking for since forever. It is SO easy to apply. There is no powder spilling all over my face, it’s super easy to get it just where I want it, and it stays put until I remove it. I highly recommend it.” —Redheaded Reader
Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in 53 colors).
9. A popular face serum to rehydrate your very dry skin. Not only does it hydrate your skin with hyaluronic acid, but it also has vitamin C, which will leave your skin nice and glowy.
Promising review: “I was very skeptical of this as I’ve tried so many products to help my skin and they never work. This was the last one before I would be forced to accept that I look 10 years older than I am. After about two weeks of using this regularly, as directed, my skin is so much smoother and less oily. The lines and dark bags under my eyes have significantly lessened. I’ve started receiving compliments on how I’m ‘glowing’ and how my skin tone is even. For the price, it’s definitely worth it, especially when combined with the other products in the line.” —Sheryce
Get it from Amazon for $19.28+ (available in two sizes).
10. An exfoliating glove that’ll make you feel so good but also grossed out. This glove helps remove dead skin, leaving your arms and legs as soft as a baby’s bottom. Just be warned, it’s both satisfying and gross once you see all that dead skin in the mitt.
Promising review: “I was skeptical. Then I took a shower and have never felt more clean. I had to call my mom after and rave to her about how amazing this product is and how I had to clean the tub after because of the dead skin that came off with this thing. Buy it! It’s amazing!” —Rose hocker
Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in two styles; also available in a pack of two).
11. A clay mask to detoxify and exfoliate your skin. All you need to do is apply the mask, let it fizz, remove the bubble mask with water and clean your face. It’s really that easy to refresh your skin. It’s giving Frozen trolls in the best way.
Promising review: “I decided to try this mask based on the high customer rating and affordable price just to see if it would live up to the hype. I just finished washing it off my face and I have to say I do see a difference, albeit not a dramatic one. I have enlarged pores in my T-zone and issues with blackheads around my chin and after one use, my pores appear smaller and tighter and most of the smallest blackheads and bumps are gone from around my chin. I am impressed but I think with regular use it might make an even bigger difference — maybe a couple of times a week. Oh yeah, it’s also really fun to watch and feel the bubbles foaming up on your face!” —Elisabeth
Check out our full Elizavecca Milky Piggy Carbonated Bubble Clay Mask review.
Get it from Amazon for $8.90.
12. A 2-in-1 facial serum and oil hybrid because it will give you the glowy skin of your dreams. This dew-enhancer is moisturizing, hydrating, and nourishing. I should also mention that it uses plant-based extracts to work its magic.
Promising review: “I’ve been searching for a product to wear under foundation to make ‘glow-y’ foundations *actually* glow-y. (My skin is pale and dry as paper.) This one does it! It has a little tack, as well, which I think might help with longevity, but that’s never been an issue for me.” —Jennifer R.
Get it from Glossier for $30.
13. A liquid lipstick for a never-ending day because it lasts (yes, up to 24 hours) without you needing to reapply. It promises not to get flaky or dry when applied and over 19,000 people agree it does its job well.
Reviewer above is wearing the shade Keep Up The Flame!
Promising review: “This goes on and stays on! I love this lipstick line and plan on buying several more colors. The Blush On is a perfect mix of red and pink in my opinion and does favor the pink side of the color spectrum, which I absolutely love. Apply the lipstick, wait two minutes (if you put your lips together after a min before the moisturizer, they can stick together and ruin your look), apply the moisturizer, and you are good to go. I typically only have to apply the moisturizer one or two times throughout the day depending on how much I eat or drink. Love this line!” —BestlaRose
Get it from Amazon for $8.98+ (available in 39 colors).
14. A dark-circle treatment concealer that’ll actually help your dark circles for once. Not only does this cover your under-eye bags from too much reality TV, but it also actually works to improve the condition of your skin over time.
Read our Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer review!
Here’s an excerpt: “I still don’t know how a $7 tube of concealer (I use the Neutralizer shade) beats out the more expensive ones I have stuffed into my vanity, but it does. It’s not too creamy or thick, yet it still gives solid coverage without the cakey feeling. When I am done with my entire routine, my eyes look lighter and brighter, but not in a way that’s totally obvious — even when photos are taken and the flash is on. Basically what I am saying here is this is a staple beauty product that, IMHO, deserves a place in every makeup bag!” —Kayla Suazo
Get it from Amazon for $8.80+ (available in 21 shades).
15. A clay mask that’ll help you skin recover from redness and inflammation caused by breakouts. It has sulfur in it but don’t freak out, that ingredient helps prevent pore blockage and helps rid your face of dead skin. P.S., it also helps absorb your skin’s excess oil.
Daniel Boan / BuzzFeed
Bolden is a Black-owned, woman-owned skincare brand.
Promising review: “I came back for more after using this product for a month. It is effective against maskne…makes my skin feel so smooth…minimizes my pores…and does all this so quickly. I also use the daily cleanser. I tell everyone about Bolden. By the way, I have oily skin. I wasn’t paid for this review. I read about someone else signing the praises of Bolden. Now I am, too!” —Jane Tee
Get it from Amazon for $19.49.
16. A super-smooth black nail polish because it’s giving us Wednesday Addams vibes in the best way. Glossy and chip-proof, this polish is high on my to-buy list.
Promising review: “I rarely do my nails, and I don’t have time to paint them and wait to dry. This is the perfect nail polish for me. One color coat gets the job done and dries quick. Two coats and oh god I look like I actually got them done! Easy to slap on, and let’s be honest, you can’t go wrong with black, like, ever! Good shine, not overwhelming, and really took a week with one coat for me to see it chipping.” —Mackenzie
Get it from Amazon for $11.99 (available in six other colors).
17. A peeling gel that’ll ~actually~ remove your skin’s impurities. Say goodbye to dead skin cells once and for all. To use, apply it on dry skin, massage it in your face, and rinse it off with water.
Sephora
Promising review: “Results seen after first use and they keep getting better! The best exfoliating product I’ve ever used. The amount of dead skin cells that sloughed off during the first treatment was ridiculous. No irritation or redness afterwards. Left skin feeling super soft and smooth. A fantastic buy!” —MagsOG
Get it from Sephora for $16.
18. A jar of iconic Sol De Janerio Brazilian bum bum cream because it smells so good you want to eat it (please DO NOT EAT THIS, I know the pistachio-caramel scent is tempting for many.) Not only does it smell good, it also feels great on your skin and it softens, moisturizes, and hydrates every part of your body.
Promising review: “I bought it to try for the scent mainly, but I started using this product all over and have seen some pretty shocking results in moisture, appearance, texture, and even tightening.” —Alex WIlls
Get it from Amazon for $24+ (available in three sizes).
19. A deeply conditioning hair mask that’ll promote hair growth and reduce shedding. BTW, it helps locks in moisture and repairs damage in your hair (even if it’s color-treated).
Thank God It’s Natural is a Black-owned, woman-owned small business based in Chicago.
Promising review: “My scalp felt invigorated after applying. I left the masque on overnight and when I rinsed the next morning my scalp felt refreshed and clean. I actually think this product also aided in elongating my curls. Hair looks hydrated as well! I plan to use every two weeks.” —Dawn M.
Get it from Amazon for $17.99.
20. A super-creamy matte lipstick because it actually lasts all day and doesn’t flake on you. Created with nourishing avocado oil and vitamin E, this beauty staple keeps your lips feeling as good as they look.
21. A perfecting skin tint for that flawless skin look with minimal effort. (You can just apply with your fingers, no tools needed.) Lightweight and breathable, this gives you a bit of coverage while still letting your freckles shine.
Promising review: “This works so beautifully. Such a light soft feel after I apply it. It’s extremely sheer, but I can build the coverage by tapping a second layer over problem areas like redness on/around my nose. I can still see my freckles, and my skin just overall looks evened out and like my own skin, just prettier!” —Lindsey
Get it from Glossier for $28 (available in 12 shades).
22. A bestselling eyebrow pencil that’s everything you need for your brows in like two steps. It’ll shorten your brow routine so much, just use the teardrop tip to define your brow and then use the spoolie side to brush it out and you’re done.
Promising review: “Spent years using a brow pomade but got tired of it drying out in the little pot so quickly. I avoided pencils since I could never find one that went on as saturated and with a creamy sort of consistency that I was used to. Tried this on a whim since I’d seen a few positive reviews via YouTube and thought the angled tip was pretty neat. I don’t know if I’d want to use anything else ever again because I love it so much! Easy to apply, goes on smoothly, and the little brush on the end is great for evenly brushing product through the brows once they’re filled in. Looks so natural and precise. So very happy to get out of my comfort zone and try something new.” —Shannon M Slape
Get it from Amazon for $15.86+ (available in five shades).
23. A tube of a celebrity-beloved moisturizer because you can use it for anything and everything. I love a multi-use moment, and this works as a face cream, makeup primer, and face mask. Plus, we both know your skin could use a little extra hydration.
Promising review: “I’m 77, not really looking for a miracle cream to get rid of wrinkles, but I do love healthy looking and feeling skin, and this moisturizer is delivering. I start with a vitamin C serum then apply the Embryolisse moisturizing cream. My skin feels wonderful all day. It goes on beautifully, has a very pleasant scent, and makeup goes on smoothly over it. I have only been using it a couple of weeks, but I will definitely order it again. I’m really enjoying the feel and look of my skin.” —Roslyn
Get it from Amazon for $17+ (available in two sizes).
24. A completely clear sunscreen that’ll leave your skin looking and feeling flawless. I am obsessed with this weightless and scentless sunscreen because it looks amazing and doubles as a makeup primer.
I alternate using this and Supergoop!’s Glowscreen. I’ve tried many sunscreens and this brand has yet to fail me. I also wanted to note that when applied, this also smooths out your skin and works as a perfect base. I sometimes just walk out of my house with just this and no foundation!
Promising review: “This is the first face sunscreen I’ve used that hasn’t left my face feeling like an oil trap. This product goes on amazing and doesn’t have a white cast in photos. I first bought this when I was working outside everyday in the Florida heat. Never broke me out or overly clogged my pores.” —xenaaru
Get it from Sephora for $22+ (available in two sizes).
25. A stunning hair pick to comb through your hair in style. Each of these picks has an aesthetic design, which is guaranteed to make you, and whoever sees you use this, smile.
Amazon
Afro Picks is a Black-owned, family-owned small business based in New York.
Each of the designs were created by Afropick’s team of independent artists. The pattern featured above is a tribute to the lively energy of Harlem, and there are five other designs to choose from!
Promising review: “Strong, smooth, stylish, and gentle. Love this Afropick.” —Nicholas Singh
Get it from Amazon for $19.49.
26. A daily face cream that’ll hydrate and renew your skin. It uses ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, and ceramides which help hydrate and plump your skin. BTW, it also helps support your skin barrier.
Promising review: “This cream is a great moisturizer. It feels luxurious on your skin if that makes sense. It goes on do smoothly and leaves the skin feeling plump an not oily at all which surprised me because I have oily skin. I’ve only tried it for a week and love how my face feels with it on. Price point is a bit high for what I’m used to, but I think this product is worth it!” —Thoney275
Get it from Sephora for $23+ (available in three sizes).
27. A scrubby charcoal shampoo to exfoliate your scalp. Let’s be real here, we both know you need this in your life. It helps unclog your hair (yes, your hair follicles can clog like your pores), gets rid of buildup from products, and removes flakes.
Briogeo is a Black-owned, woman-owned haircare business.
Promising review: “This product is amazing. I have sensitive skin and a frequently itchy scalp, with noticeable hair loss when shampooing. Within a week or two of using this, I found my scalp was far less irritated and hair loss was significantly reduced. It also leaves my hair soft and shiny.” —Christina Fairman
Get it from Amazon for $15+ (available in three sizes).
28. A Glossier lippie that walks the fine line between a lip balm and lipstick because your lips could probably use this. This lippie has some pigment to it, but it’s super buildable if you prefer a bolder look. It also has conditioning and nourishing ingredients in it that’ll give your lips the treatment they deserve.
Promising review: “I am loathing to write a review, but this is quite honestly the best lip product I have ever used. Perfectly pigmented, moisturizing, not sticky, and available in a number of shades. Buy this now. You won’t regret it.” —Heather B.
Get it from Glossier for $22 (available in 11 shades).
29. A hydrating eye cream to perk up your eyes and trick people into thinking you actually slept last night. (We both know you spent all night watching true crime again.) Complete with hyaluronic acid and three essential ceramides to protect and hydrate your skin.
Promising review: “I’ve been embarrassed for years about the bags under my eyes, but with two preschoolers at home, stress, and mild insomnia, I didn’t see a way out. This is like a little miracle tube. I use it before bed and then in the morning too. I use it even if I didn’t wash my face. I’ve gone from looking like there are bruises under my eyes to looking normal again. I no longer feel the need to use concealer under my eyes on a regular basis. I highly recommend!” —Amber Jaeger
Get it from Amazon for $14.44.
30. A tube of retinol night cream because it works its magic overnight. Apply at night and wake up and see how this product can turn back time on your skin. Please, don’t yell at us when you get ID’d buying wine again.
Promising review: “I started using this daily due to the high reviews. I thought, ‘Yeah, right, noticeable results in a week?!?’ UMMM, it’s true! I have deep forehead wrinkles and frown lines between my brows. Within about five days, my forehead lines were half as deep as they were!!! Frown lines do not have the same impact, but there is still a noticeable difference. I will buy this for the rest of my life!!” —L.L.N.
Get it from Amazon for $17.89.
31. A pack of dermaplaning razors that’ll help remove fine hairs on your face if that’s your thing. Designed to be travel-friendly, this might just become a staple in your routine.
Fun fact: These can also be recycled with Schick’s mail back program!
Promising review: “I used to pay a professional to dermaplane my face once a month to remove the peach fuzz, which makes me look older and makes the makeup application more cumbersome. I searched for years for a home product to use to save money and time. This is the closest I have been able to get to professional dermaplaning in the convenience of my home, on my time/schedule, and at a fraction of the price. Love it!” —SEM1969
Get a three-pack from Amazon for $5.39+ (also available in a pack of nine).
32. A volcanic stone face roller because it went viral on TikTok for a reason! Think of this like blotting paper but better, all you do is roll it over an area that’s shiny and watch the shine fade. You can also easily clean this, just unlock the stone and wash it with a gentle cleanser, rinse, and let it air dry.
Promising review: “I am so extremely oily. Have been dealing with my oily skin since I was in high school and still dealing with my oily skin in my mid-thirties. The roller worked better than I could have expected and exceeded my expectations. This is life-changing for me!” —Wow
Get it from Amazon for $7.98.
33. A repairing hair treatment that’ll change your hair for the better in eight seconds. (Yes, we’re serious, and over 31,000 people agree.) Well-loved by reviewers for a good reason, this product will make your hair look healthy, shiny, and smooth.
Promising review: “I don’t usually do reviews on products, but for this one I absolutely have to. I have 3c-type hair and struggle with a lot a breakage, unmanageability, and moisture. When my mom mentioned this product to me, I didn’t take her seriously because of the simple fact that we have two completely different hair textures. I never would have thought this brand would work on my hair. I have never in my 22 years felt my hair like this. I feel like I have a completely different head of hair. This product is so amazing and I will FOREVER be using this product in my hair regimen.” —Theressa Hailey
Get it from Amazon for $10.97.
34. A leave-in conditioning spray because it has 10 benefits in one bottle. Yes, it really does all the things. Some things this product does are: it conditions, detangles, provides heat protection, prevents breakage, hydrates, smoothes, softens, controls frizz, boosts shine, and strengthens.
Mane Club NYC
Mane Club is a small business specializing in cruelty free, vegan hair products.
Promising review: “I read about this in a BuzzFeed article, I wasn’t looking for a new product but the reviews in the article made me need to try it out. It shipped and arrived within a week so that was a pretty amazing feet itself. So…this is 100% my go-to review stating I was skeptical…but now I’m changed. It leaves my hair looking smooth, shiny, and beautiful. The smell was kinda harsh at first, but I’ve grown to love it. I especially appreciate the natural ingredients, so my hair doesn’t feel heavy or weighed down at all. This is a life changer ya’ll. Definitely worth giving it a chance!” —Ashley B.
Get it from Mane Club for NYC for $10.
35. An Olaplex hair treatment to repair your broken and damaged hair. This will have your brittle and dry hair turning into a soft and shiny ‘do — and, you only need to apply it two to three times a week. It should come to no one’s surprise this product has over 96,000 5-star ratings.
Promising review: “MAGIC!!!! I swear this stuff is made from unicorns. I was doubtful, given that I have tried the gamut of hair conditioning treatments (yes, yes, I know this is NOT a conditioner, but a bonder) and all I have to say is WOWZA! After some really harsh processing (got my hair from dark dark brown to very very blonde so I could add funky colors (currently pink), my hair more closely resembled hay than it did actual hair and as the weeks went on, the breakage started getting worse. I tried this at my last feeble attempt to salvage my locks after a friend recommended it and I am BLOWN AWAY by the results! It really does work. I won’t lie and tell you my hair is back to it’s normal state, but it is SIGNIFICANTLY improved. It is smoother, softer, and even has some of the weight back! This was just after one application (I left it in for an hour as the website suggested for my level of damage). I can’t wait to see if it gets better with the next application. I am definitely sold.” —shel.b.phd.
Get it from Amazon for $30.
36. A tub of healing ointment because it can help with basically anything. This mystical potion can help your cracked elbows, chapped lips, your cuticles, and you can even use it on your feet. Yes, it’s that product. 👑
Amazon
Psst: Try it on new tattoos to keep the color from fading while they heal!
Promising review: “Awesome!! I’m on Accutane so I use this for my lips to keep them from getting super chapped and they really help! It’s super moisturizing and I love that it’s in a big tub so I don’t have to keep repurchasing! If you have chapped lips I definitely recommend, it’s super moisturizing and hasn’t caused any breakouts around my lips so far.” —M
Get it from Amazon for $18.37.
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
